Private 3 Star, FCÁ (Irish Army Reserve), Eastern Brigade, 1984

A recreation of the kit of an FCÁ private circa 1984.
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[@bourkeyy]

Great video. I enlisted in the FCA in 1976 and served in A Company, 22nd Infantry Battalion which was headquartered out of Sarsfield Barracks in Limerick, also the HQ of the regular army 12th Infantry Battalion, which the 22nd Batt supported for garrison and patrolling duties. The four companies of the 22nd were raised out of County Clare, Dalcassian country in ancient Ireland. I was 15 at the time of my enlistment - you were meant to be 17 and a half, but they were short of recruits. Because of the security situation at the time, any movement of money, industrial explosives, military honour guards for funerals of “old IRA” members from the war of independence, weapons etc, required an army patrol in support. This usually consisted of a 10 man section split across two Land Rovers, a mixture of regular ( with FAL) and FCA three star privates (with FAL, No. 4). The NCO would have a Carl Gustav 9mm SMG. A fire support team was sometimes assigned, which carried the Bren .303, instead of the GPMG which only the regulars at the time were trained on. As there was a shortage of regulars, the FCA would be used to fill out the gaps in the patrol.

[@josephcurley8226]

What was the security situation you talk of? Ballymurphy? Springhill? Bloody Sunday in Derry? Or Irish catholics being murdered or burned out of their homes.....IN IRELAND by unionist terror gangs? Or were you all only interested in going to help people in the Lebanon?

[@mikedeman5351]

I was in the FCA roughly 1971 to 1973. We had the Lee-Enfield .303 rifle which by the way, is a GREAT rifle, as well as the BREN LMG (light machine gun). What I also remember was the (still in use today) 84mm Carl Gustav Recoilless Rifle, which can still punch a hole in a tank today or send out an aerial mine etc. Devastating against infantry even if dug in. We also had FACE (Field Artillery Computer Equipment) which identifies the source of incoming artillery rounds and sent out rounds back on to the enemies firing point. All automated - which was SERIOUSLY advanced for that time. Happy Days !!!!!!!

[@sarah20025]

Beret is green, combats were what you could get I started with Dutch NATO jacket in 1984.A lot had Italian combats (they were cheap). If you had the Irish (British 1960) combats the MPs on the gate would check for the FF stamp, if it had one they could be confiscated as they were not supposed to be sold! I had seen recruits in green boiler suits. Weapons were No 4 rifle, Bren LMG , Karl Gustav 9mm smg. NCOs could have browning 9mm. FN was rarely issued. Trained with 60mm mortar . Fired 81mm mortar in the Glenn.

[@ciaran1659]

So much for free clothes association 🤣

[@patrickearls3391]

I joined the FCA in 1973 the 21st infantry batt. Acoy based in Bray and we had black caps with red patch,we also had to buy our own combats and jumpers, the combats were mostly German cold war issue also the dress uniform was the old Bullswool type we did not get shirts or ties (which we also had to buy ) till the newer uniforms came into service which were a blessing as the old ones itched like crazy and we had to keep buttoned up at the neck at all times,but it was still a great time in our lives as there was lots of lifetime friendships formed in the FCA happy days

[@daviddoyle5291]

Pat Earls a blast from the past, 73 was they year I joined the 2nd Batt Cathal Brugha after serving in the 21st Batt Bray.

[@thomasjmeade]

When I joined the FCA in 1989 the No 4 was still being phased out. So I started my training on the No 4, then progressed on to the FAL. When I left in 1996 (to join the police), the Steyr AUG was being introduced so I received some training on that. They replaced the Bren with the FN GPMG about 6 months after I left. So I missed out on training with that.

[@RiflemanMoore]

Interesthing, thanks for the details! I'm assuming these were still .303 Brens?

[@thomasjmeade]

@@RiflemanMoore Yes, .303 (if I remember correctly they were the Mark 3 version).

[@RiflemanMoore]

Good to know, thank you.

[@tireachan6178]

I remember Bren LMGs still being issued to RDF units in 2005 when they were still being housed in the armoury at Kickham Barracks in Clonmel. The old .303 ammunition was getting scarce at that stage and the greenish staining between the brass and bullet on many of the rounds was not a big boost of already shakey confidence for the young reservists still qualifying on the Bren for their 3* Bullets 3 or 4 times older than the lads being them.

[@thomasjmeade]

@@tireachan6178 My unit in Dublin got the GPMG in late 1996 or early 1997

[@phelimscallon1610]

I served in D coy (PEARSE), 20th Inf Btn, Griffith Barracks, Dublin in the early 1980s, making it to Corporal before life overtook me. NCOs were issued with the Carl Gustav 9mm SMG and brown leather magazine pouch, which screamed "there's an NCO, target him" to any enemy. 🤣🤣 The Lee Enfield No. 4 .303 was the standard issue rifle unless you were going to the border with N Ireland for your summer camp, when you had to have passed your FN-FAL training.

[@DerekAnthonyFarmer-IMDB]

My 1980s combats in the FCA were ex US marine ww2, fully lined and included a patched bullet hole in the top left shoulder front and back! Always hoped and imagined the original owner survived his injury.

[@KaptainKhaos1]

I was in the FCA during the 90s. We'd moved onto the FN at the time. Generally as a rule of thumb, the FCA would get what ever the army was casting off. Hence the 58s and the SMLE. By the time I was there, it ws the 58s and the FN. As of now, there is complete commonality between the army and the reserves.

[@declanganley4293]

He's missing his tie. Shirt is right, but we had to keep the tie on even in 'combats'. All the fatigues at this time were private purchase, as was the webbing, the arm brassards. Only thing that was issue was a dress uniform, boots, socks, two shirts and a tie. 38 webbing stopped being issued by about 86 once most had their own later version mixes. I can't remember the exact year but it was mid 1980's when my unit (the then 5th Field Artillery) were on annual camp in Wicklow and on the day of our live shoot we were not allowed to wear our usual mix of own purchase but had to wear full dress uniform in the mud. It was to make the point to the brass and the Irish Times (that were photographing the shoot that day) that we had no government issue gear other than our dress kit.

[@RiflemanMoore]

Interesting note on the ties, I've a large collection of photos showing men of the FCA from the mid-'80s and the vast majority show the fawn shirt worn open without tie under combats. Was this a unit-specific thing or was it FCA-wide? Many thanks for all the additional information.

[@declanganley4293]

@@RiflemanMoore I'll ask around, perhaps it was unit specific thing but I don't recall that it was. It's probable that out on an exercise, perhaps they were removed by some but we would just tuck ours into the shirt so they didn't catch on anything. If you were doing a guard/security duty in combats, it was certainly required, flak jacket too. Helmet on your head or at least on your person. Back in those days they were very concerned about Provos/INLA trying to mount a heist for weapons and/or ammo.

[@declanganley4293]

The FCA guard hut at the camp entrance in Wicklow back then was a Bren with multiple spare magazines, 303's, and one Gustav SMG with six mags plus a BAP 9mm side arm. Later 80's the 303's were changed for FN's on the sentry duty, and the Bren for a GPMG, though 303's were still the 'issue' when not specifically on a mounted guard.

[@RiflemanMoore]

That makes a lot of sense, thank you once again for all the information.

[@declanganley4293]

@@RiflemanMoore Pleasure. Thank you for sharing the fruits of your very interesting research work.

[@petermurray7055]

I was in the fca in 1994 uniform is correct l remember we had a jumper issued we trained with fn rifle bren machine gun l enjoyed my time in the fca

[@66kbm]

My Uncle was in the Irish Forces but its a far way away that i could ever track him down.Uncle Seamus, god bless you.

[@RiflemanMoore]

Was he regular or reservist do you know? What sort of time period?

[@tommyoconnor355]

Very good video and very interesting both my parents were in the FCA now it’s known as the RDF they joined around the 80s my dad spent 29 years in it while my mom 7

[@barrymoreman]

Really great to see well done !

[@rudidedog243]

In the 80s when i was in the FCA it was often referred to as the Free Clothing Association 😊 good memories thanks

[@Surv1ve_Thrive]

Thank you. 👍Siege of Jadotville, well worth a watch of the film if anyone not seen it. Impressive achievement and story. (1961).

[@RiflemanMoore]

There's an excellent documentary on KZbin which I woud recommend over the film.

[@Surv1ve_Thrive]

Rifleman Moore thank you, I may have seen it but will watch it again. The wider picture of the situation alone is always interesting, let alone what occurred at Jadotville.

[@robertryan2542]

Thank you for your video.

[@goldiefish72]

Worth mentioning that both 58 pattern and combat dress were private purchase at this time. Combat dress was not issued to FCA until mid 80s, but most had a friend, brother or uncle in the army who could source a jacket for them. Or you could buy surplus UK jackets there. The irish made combats had a dark "ff" stamped next to the left pocket. In the early 80s the khaki shirt was worn with a knitted tie. Official combat dress for the FCA at this time was SD1, with green overalls worn over same.

[@RiflemanMoore]

Many thanks for the information. When you say 'mid '80s' is 1984 not yet 'mid '80s'? Could you give a more specific date?

[@goldiefish72]

@@RiflemanMoore Well, in all honesty it is more complicated than that. I said mid 80s, I meant mid 90s. What was known as "working dress" begun getting issued in 1989. It consisted of Green denim trousers, Green shirt, Green Wooly Pully (with single pocket on chest) and working dress tunic, which bore resemblance to a combat jacket, even though it was more like a combat shirt. To the untrained eye, it had the appearance of combat dress, and was used as such, sending SD1 to the wardrobe and used only for ceremonial. Combat dress proper (with vertical chest pocket opening) was issued to the FCA from the mid 90s until the introduction of the DPMs in 2001 or thereabouts. Prior to this you had a wild combination of green private purchase combats being worn. Personally I had Dutch Para jacket(pockets with a diagonal opening) and trousers, but the more common was the US pattern M65 Jacket. The No4(Mk 2) Was in service until 1991 in the FCA before being replaced with the FN FAL. The Steyr Aug entered service on a phased basis with the FCA around 2001. As an aside,When the No4 was in service, it was normal for an NCO from Corporal and above to carry a Carl Gustav M/45. This was always accompanied by a leather pouch, "the handbag" carrying up to 8 spare magazines.

[@goldiefish72]

A minor detail also, the FCA beret at the time had a black leatherette band, not a green textile one as in your recreation.

[@RiflemanMoore]

Many thanks for the information, very useful for covering other periods too as I do have examples of the later combat uniform, jersey, etc. Currently waiting on one of the M/45 leather pouches. I'll have to keep an eye out for an FCÁ beret with the black sweatband, I take it the green cloth sweatband post-dates the '80s?

[@goldiefish72]

@@RiflemanMoore I first joined in 88 and got the black band, didn't get a second issue until a vip parade in 1991 or 1992, which had the new band. Both made by interhat.

[@cgdeery]

Interesting .. are those Irish issued combats?? The full time troops had a darker olive colour sets which after washing turned the lighter shade similar to the set you are using..2 types..heavy winter sets and a lighter one for summer..you got what was in stores at the time.

[@guno1996]

The RDF (used to be the fca) now use the black beret with the Red backing

[@thunderman9730]

@Lord Sidious 2015. Due to the single force concept. They now are integrated into regular battalions, HQ, A & B companies are usually regulars, the C,D,E,F companies are reservists

[@johnshanahan8477]

You have captured the stance. Perfect

[@RiflemanMoore]

Cheers John!

[@frankwhite4933]

@@RiflemanMoore though the hand in the pocket would have drawn comment from any NCO in proximity.

[@RiflemanMoore]

I'm sure.

[@gloin10]

Damn! You got ISSUED combat gear? You were lucky! We had to buy or otherwise acquire our own combats. Hence the very 'motley crew' appearance whenever we did shoots, security details, etc....

[@johnmorgan9435]

Also, French, Dutch NATO, and American clothing and kit

[@fgd8636]

Just two comments, the cap badge is incorrect for this period, a smaller one was on issue. the brassard was part of summer dress and only worn on shirt sleeve order. On combat uniforms only rank markings were allowed, normally only Officers and NCO's were required to display them. Unit symbols or Command /Brigade designations were not allowed to be displayed.

[@RiflemanMoore]

Interesting re the staybright cap badge, I wasn't aware of them being manufactured in different sizes. Regarding the brassard, if you drop me an email I'll be happy to show you a good many photos from the era showing brassards worn on combat uniform showing rank and formation badges including privates. If you look at the thumbnail image the corporal with the M/45 is wearing a brassard with the Eastern Brigade badge and his rank with his combats. It may not have been officially sanctioned but it was certainly done, and commonly so.

[@trpsarge]

@@RiflemanMoore staybrite badge was only issued in the smaller size to the Naval Service but the normal size stay bright is actually smaller than the original brass item

[@trpsarge]

Combats weren't on issue until 1998 to the FCA. Working dress or acquired items engine worn from 1985 to 1998

[@trpsarge]

@@RiflemanMoore I suggest you watch a documentary on KZbin from 1984 called a Cast Of Thousands. A DF film to highlight the FCA

[@RiflemanMoore]

@@trpsarge I have, it's an excellent historic record now, I'm glad it was made.

[@72mossy]

I served in the FCA from 89 to 91.

[@trpsarge]

Brassards were of local make as opposed to issue

[@robertking2580]

I was just wondering if you watch the Mandalorian. I was watching the most recent one, Chapter 9, and I believe Baby Yoda is riding in a modified M1908 haversack on a speederbike and I was wondering if you could possibly elaborate on that since I am not to keen on British web equipment.

[@RiflemanMoore]

Modified 1908 pack, yes. It's a common theme in Star Wars to use modified military kit, alongside the modified weapons.

[@robertking2580]

@@RiflemanMoore Thank you

[@porsche928ireland]

Can you do one from 1976 ?

[@paulcurry1481]

Green beret, wrong era aswell the 84 ones had a leatherette band.

[@ballygeale1]

Our equipment was allways very bad

[@trpsarge]

FNFAL didn't come on issue to FCA until 1989

[@RiflemanMoore]

I understood FALs were issued to FCA deployed to the border before 1989?

[@trpsarge]

@@RiflemanMoore FCA weren't deployed to the border en masse and only did security duties in bus etc when units deployed. The combat uniform pictured only went on issue to the FCA in 1998 with work dress and overalls used prior to that. The 24bs...boots need a polish, obviously brand new.

[@RiflemanMoore]

Quite so but period photographs and people I've spoken to confirm many FCA men purchased their own uniform and web equipment, not only British surplus but also US, as mentioned in the video and some European surplus too. The boots are indeed brand new, never worn it would seem, other than for these photos to be taken.

[@trpsarge]

@@RiflemanMoore I see a friend of mine commenting on the private purchase stuff. As for combats I never had to do this as I kept mine from my Naval Service career. Boots are an entirely different matter as Brit 91 pattern boots were my preferred choice and therefore purchased. In.the latter days I bought an arktis assault vest for use in vehicles as they weren't on issue at the time. In the early 2000s there was an explosion in the private purchase market

[@RiflemanMoore]

Brilliant, many thanks for the further details on your kit!

[@Scotia6261]

Free Clothes Association......what a clown show.